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Background
Twenty per cent of the UK population is
affected by food intolerance allergies, a
number that is estimated to rise by five per
cent each year. Reactions range from minor
skin rashes to major life-threatening
anaphylaxis. On 25 November 2005, a
new EU directive stipulated that all prepackaged
food should show clearly on the
label whether it contains any of 12 ingredients
that commonly cause reactions. As yet,
however, no standardised graphic system
exists to alert consumers to the presence
of common allergens in food.
How does it work?
Infood is a set of 12 simple allergen icons,
consisting of a bold graphic symbol and
accompanying descriptor based on
Makaton, RNIB and Mencap guidelines.
They are intended to replace the long,
space-consuming and confusing lists
currently used on packaging. Each icon
enables interpretation on three levels
– through recognition of a specific image
representing the allergen, through
abbreviated text describing it and
through colour to differentiate each
allergen.
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